And on-topic...interesting.

I wish there wasn't a profit to be made in selling 30 seconds of ringtone for extortionate amounts of money. I don't understand why EA would want to go into the digital music market, but I suppose it'll complicate matters when gaming MP3s are now online and costly, making it (more) illegal to download them for free.

Luckily, this is EA. So it wont be a trend, nor will most care ;p

If EA does start making money off of this venture, it could very well become a trend.

P.S. This isn't really talking about games, this topic is more about music and how a gaming company is branching out. It's fine here though it could've been in the Academy too.

EA trying to make an extra buck. Seriously, who the hell gives a crap about their EA Trax. Not to mention, all their other games are LICENSED GAMES, so if you actually want to listen to those tracks from the LOTR games, or Bond, well... go buy the movie soundtracks. A-duhhhh

Can't stand EA. Hope they burn.

EA....darkside. o_o Maxis has been dead to me since they furthered their fangs into them a few years back.

~T2K

Especially after they essentially forced Visual Concepts out of the NFL football game market. And what happened without competition? The most recent edition of Madden was rated lower than its predecessor for the most part.

Besides, I prefer the music from Nintendo, Sega, and Square-Enix's games.

I'd willingly pay for (*cough-pirate-cough*) the soundtracks to a number of EA-published titles, like the SimCity series, Black & White, Battlefield, and others. I also think it's funny how the same people who download like 20 gigs a month of Megaman MIDIs scoff at the idea of game music going mainstream just because it's EA doing it and not Capcom or some other Japanese developer.

Also just to add they have the Simpsons license now. I already thought they had it but now they really have it.

I do hate EA. With a passion. Now I have nothing against it being a publisher (except Strangers Wrath). It publishes the Burnout and Timesplitters series developed by Criteron and Free Radical as well as some Namco games (We Heart Katamari and Soul Calibur 2 PS2 and Xbox definatly Europe versions) and of course The Sims by Maxis (I think).

When EA make their own games it goes bad for them. The best example is of course Goldeneye: Rogue Agent. The gimmick behind calling it Goldeneye of course was the main character having a Golden Eye. And in no way let the public believe that this game was directly linked to the N64 game. In no way at all. The sad thing is that the game wasn't even in the hands of Free Radical the makers of the N64 game.

EA Trax only seems to be completly out of place in the Burnout series. There have been a few loading and glitch issues with Burnout 3 and 4 (Definatly in 3 anyway. Plus a pause when a track loads in Legends). In Burnout 1 and 2 when you were cruising along the race earning your boost the music would be a bit quiter and then you hit the boost and it goes full headbanging mode. None of that now of course. Minor thing admittedly but still its unique. Plus promoting NFS: Underground. Thats Low.

The lack of promotion for Oddworld: Strangers Wrath caused Oddworld Inhabitants to leave gaming completly. And this wasn't some cutsey puzzler/platformer game, there was blood and swearing. The Oddworld Quintology will never be completed. The Quintology was Abe's Oddysee, Munch's Oddysee, Strangers Wrath plus two more (heard about Hand of Odd a whie back). Abe's Exoddus was just more.

Could go further about this but too much hate I think.

Quote:

---

I also think it's funny how the same people who download like 20 gigs a month of Megaman MIDIs scoff at the idea of game music going mainstream just because it's EA doing it and not Capcom or some other Japanese developer.

---

Can't argue with that really. Mind you I just think that this will end up to FIFA Street: The Album, Marvel Nemisis and of course Now thats what I call Bond...James Bond.

I mean, seriously. Some people, all they ever listen to is videogame music. So EA goes and says, hey, we own the exclusive rights to all this music, and there are all these people who love game music, so let's try and set a trend by publishing all this great, catchy music that people love (read: theme from Battlefield 1942) in stores and on iTunes. Then suddenly the guys who go on for hours and hours about all the Castlevania remixes they have are saying this is a bad idea, and all they have to back up their argument is OGMWFT EA SUXORZ.

In my case it's more that I haven't owned an EA game in a good while. Unless you count Half-Life 2, which I don't.

Regardless, if they have one of the Buy Mode themes from The Sims (the first one, unless the themes were re-used in The Sims 2), that might be of interest. I always did like those tunes. Or hey, the remix of the HL1 credits at the end of HL2. That was awesome, I wouldn't mind a ringtone of that.

Quote:

---

I also think it's funny how the same people who download like 20 gigs a month of Megaman MIDIs scoff at the idea of game music going mainstream just because it's EA doing it and not Capcom or some other Japanese developer.

---

I didn't know that there was that much space worth of MegaMan MIDIs. MIDIs are small, usually 20-40k each, or more, depending on size.

I...don't really play games made by EA. I prefer Microsoft games (despite Gates' evil plans) such as the Halo series. Everybody loves Halo...but that's offtopic.

EA is evil. They want to dominate the electronic industry in all possible ways. I read a rumor in an issue of GameInformer that says EA plans on buying the moon...and putting their giant 'EA' logo on it. I have pictures!

So they want to make music? I say let 'em.

I didn't know that there was that much space worth of MegaMan MIDIs. MIDIs are small, usually 20-40k each, or more, depending on size.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hyperbole

Shadow Hog, if you go to the folder where you installed The Sims and then look in the Music folder, you can have access to all the music used in the game. o.o

Additionally, if you add files into these folders, they'll be played within the game. n___N

Yeah, I know that. Thing is, I don't have the luxury of custom ringtones NOT bought from a shop (or if I do, I've not actually been able to abuse the fact yet)...

The fact it's my sister's copy of The Sims doesn't help matters.

Thing is, I don't have the luxury of custom ringtones NOT bought from a shop (or if I do, I've not actually been able to abuse the fact yet)...
You need a USB cable for your phone, and possibly software to unlock it. Just go to google and type in "[your phone's make and model number] unlocking".

I actually hope that more game companies follow suit, because a lot of video game albums (Especially where I live) are near impossible to get a hold of, or if I can, I would be paying an arm and a leg to get them.

Thus leading to some uber-piracy. >>

Offer me some LEGAL, high-quality game music, and you have my money.

Quote:

---

I'd willingly pay for (*cough-pirate-cough*) the soundtracks to a number of EA-published titles, like the SimCity series, Black & White, Battlefield, and others. I also think it's funny how the same people who download like 20 gigs a month of Megaman MIDIs scoff at the idea of game music going mainstream just because it's EA doing it and not Capcom or some other Japanese developer.

---

In all fairness, I'm inclined to say Cyc has an excellent point.
Besides, there is one EA soundtrack I really like, and own.
American Mcgee's Alice.
Best. Soundtrack. Ever.

I also think it's funny how the same people who download like 20 gigs a month of Megaman MIDIs scoff at the idea of game music going mainstream just because it's EA doing it and not Capcom or some other Japanese developer.

First off, f-you, cuz I don't do that garbage. Second, EA seriously sucks balls. Very rarely do they have original licenses. Battlefield, major exception. What else has EA done that's not a huge license where essentially its music was good? Not very many. EA lives on licenses, and makes most of their money selling licensed games (ie sports games, NFS, LOTR, Bond, Batman, Marvel... list goes on). So like I said, half of these "tracks" you can just find off of the movie soundtracks.

So that's why when a powerhouse like EA does it, when they're NOT KNOWN or hell even renowned as having great soundtracks in their games, of course people are going to @#%$. I TOTALLY agree that it should be Nintendo, SEGA, Konami, Capcom, Namco, etc. going on iTunes.

Also, check out the huge phenominon that is VG Music concernts now, which includes the FF orchestrated stuff, and the now widely popular Video Games Live! concert. Check out the list of games and companies that they're playin in the concert. See many ORIGINAL EA games on those lists of music? Medal of Honor. That's nice. Had a friend that went to said concert. They only played one piece from the game. While other games had multiple compositions played. Again, does that tell you anything?

THAT'S why people don't give two flying @#%$!s about EA "giant" giving away their "awesome" EA trax bullcrap to us.

Second, EA seriously sucks balls.
Thanks for reminding me.

Very rarely do they have original licenses. Battlefield, major exception. What else has EA done that's not a huge license where essentially its music was good?
The entire Need For Speed series excluding Underground, the Command & Conquer series, SimCity and The Sims... actually, screw this, I'm just going to paste a relevant point in the article that you missed:

Over the past twenty years, EA has amassed over 3,000 minutes of wholly-owned musical compositions which have been featured in blockbuster game franchises such as Medal of Honor and The Sims as well as sports games such as NBA LIVE basketball and NASCAR racing.

EA lives on licenses, and makes most of their money selling licensed games (ie sports games, NFS, LOTR, Bond, Batman, Marvel... list goes on).
So what? How does that make this a bad idea? What do licensed games have to do with selling original music on iTunes? And since when was Need For Speed a licensed property?

So like I said, half of these "tracks" you can just find off of the movie soundtracks.
They wouldn't be selling them in this case, since they don't own the distribution rights for them.

So that's why when a powerhouse like EA does it, when they're NOT KNOWN or hell even renowned as having great soundtracks in their games, of course people are going to @#%$.
Sorry, what? I was busy tripping out to the beats of Need For Speed 3: Porsche Unleashed.

I TOTALLY agree that it should be Nintendo, SEGA, Konami, Capcom, Namco, etc. going on iTunes.
That's Nintendo, Sega, Konami, Capcom and Namco's problem, not EA's. Best direct your whining towards them.

Also, check out the huge phenominon that is VG Music concernts now, which includes the FF orchestrated stuff, and the now widely popular Video Games Live! concert. Check out the list of games and companies that they're playin in the concert. See many ORIGINAL EA games on those lists of music? Medal of Honor. That's nice. Had a friend that went to said concert. They only played one piece from the game. While other games had multiple compositions played. Again, does that tell you anything?
It tells me that whoever's producing Video Games Live just happened to not put songs from many EA games on the list. I guess he figured C&C's techno tracks and weren't suitable for an orchestra. Video Games Live isn't supposed to be a statistical cross-section of the world of game music, it's just an orchestra playing a bunch of highly recognized tunes from famous games. Just because something didn't get played doesn't mean it isn't good. Maybe not as famous and catchy as the Mario theme, but then, how often does someone come up with such a recognizeable piece of music?

None of what you said makes this a bad idea. I think it's a good one and if they make a lot of money on it then other publishers are sure to follow their lead. EA has published hundreds of games with good original soundtracks and if they want to sell those soundtracks, good for them.

I actually believe Silent Hill 2 has the best peice of music in all of bideo game history. The main theme is... perfect.

Quote:

---

When EA make their own games it goes bad for them.

---

Eh? I'm not saying they haven't made lousy games, but they've certainly made some pretty good games on their own, examples being the Need for Speed series (prior to Underground anyway, particularly Hot Pursuit II for PS2) and the Medal of Honor series. I'd mention Madden as well, but many, particularly non-NFL fans, would most likely dispute that one. >_>

Quote:

---

Especially after they essentially forced Visual Concepts out of the NFL football game market.

---

Although EA had tried to get it before, it was the NFL that decided they wanted to make the license exclusive. EA ended up being the ones to win the bid, and I can't say I'm disappointed, as I personally hated nearly everything about ESPN NFL 2k5.

Quote:

---

Sorry, what? I was busy tripping out to the beats of Need For Speed 3: Porsche Unleashed.

---

I assume you meant NFS 5? Just bought that one cheap used recently myself. Haven't messed with it much, but I've already heard some music from it that definitely sounds nice.

...Namco DOES have their own ringtone service, and have for quite a while. They even carry Sega tunes; I've noticed several Sonic Adventure ones, and even more obscure ones like the first level from Panzer Dragoon...

I'll just stick with my Star Trek Red Alert ringtone, thanks.